Fame and glory don’t always come with a fairytale ending. Sometimes, they cast a shadow. No one knows this better than a gymnastics legend from Des Moines—a four-time Olympic medalist whose journey soared to dazzling heights but also stumbled through its share of dark patches.

At just 16 years old, she took the 2008 Beijing Olympics by storm, dazzling the world with her grace, power, and poise. She clinched gold on the balance beam, a moment of perfection that etched her name into the history books. But she didn’t stop there—three silver medals followed in the all-around, floor, and team events, making her one of the brightest stars of the Games. Her meteoric rise didn’t just win her medals—it opened the gates to a glamorous new world.  Endorsement deals poured in, and she became a household name. The teenager from Iowa was suddenly walking red carpets, gracing magazine covers, and landing lucrative sponsorships. But behind the glittering façade, trouble brewed. 

Seventeen years after everything, Shawn Johnson East remembers those chapters of her life. At 33, she now has a contained life with her husband and kids. But she has yet to put a lid on the memory that holds the heartbreaking part—forgetting her dream and embracing something different in the same line. What is that? Can you guess?

The gymnastics star recalls the early hiccups of her career 

In a candid conversation with Kate Mackz on her YouTube podcast, Shawn Johnson didn’t hold back. The former Olympic champion opened up about the rollercoaster ride of her gymnastics career—the triumphs, the struggles, and the sacrifices. While her journey is sprinkled with sweet memories, it also carries its share of heartbreak. One of those bittersweet chapters? Letting go of her dream to compete in college gymnastics. 

For Shawn, the college scene seemed like the perfect balance—a place where gymnastics was still about fun. It was far removed from the cutthroat, high-stakes world of elite competition. As she put it, college gymnastics “wasn’t like the serious elite world”—it felt lighter, freer, and perhaps even more joyful. She could picture herself thriving in that environment. But by the time she was just 12 years old, life had already handed her some big decisions. And those decisions came with dollar signs.

In 2006-07, endorsement deals came knocking. Big ones. Accepting any of them would mean turning pro—an exciting but irreversible step. It would also slam the door shut on any chance of competing in collegiate gymnastics. At such a young age, the choice weighed heavily on her. On one hand, she dreamed of competing in a college arena, where the stakes felt lower and the smiles more genuine. On the other, she had her sights set on the Olympic Games—the grandiose stage of all. But competing at the elite level didn’t come cheap.

Training, travel, and preparation required a fortune. Without sponsorship money, funding her Olympic journey would be a near-impossible feat. And there was no middle ground. She either had to preserve her college eligibility by refusing the endorsements or take the deals and give up on college gymnastics. Reflecting on that tough choice, Shawn recalled: “It was this option of, you can go pro and you can take endorsements and money or you cannot and like preserve your eligibility. So I could have competed at the Olympics and preserved my eligibility. But it made sense for me to be able to like… cover my expenses.”

And just like that, she let go of her college gymnastics dream. She chose the elite path—a path paved with medals, fame, and life-changing opportunities. But was it everything she had imagined? Did the road to elite glory bring the fulfillment she expected—or did it come with more twists and turns than what she bargained for?

The journey in the elite field had its own price

After her 2008 Olympic triumph, Shawn Johnson East seemed destined for even greater glory. At just 16, the world expected years of dazzling performances ahead. But fate had other plans.

In 2010, a carefree skiing trip turned tragic when she tore her ACL, shattering her comeback hopes. The once-powerful leg that launched her to gold was now weakened. Despite relentless rehab, her knee refused to cooperate. As the 2012 London Olympics approached, Shawn fought with all that she got—but her body couldn’t match her spirit. Heartbroken, she made the gut-wrenching decision to retire.

Now, it is almost thirteen years. She has gone past all those college gymnastics dreams and elite gymnastic tumblings. Even so, Shawn’s elite career ended too soon; her legacy was already sealed. The girl from Des Moines had conquered the world, defied the odds, and inspired millions—proving that even in stepping away, she remains a champion.